Effects of varying combustion conditions on PCDD/F emissions and formation during MSW incineration

Abstract

Process, combustion and fuel parameters were varied to elucidate factors that substantially affect the formation and emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) arising from municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration. The combustion conditions were varied by changing the: freeboard temperatures; quench time in the post-combustion zone; fuel load; chlorine and copper levels in the fuel; and the water, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxygen levels in the combustion gases. The study was performed using a 5kW laboratory-scale fluidized-bed reactor and PCDD/Fs were sampled at a point at 300°C in the post-combustion zone. The results showed that increasing the SO2 level (from 0 to 130ppm) substantially reduced the PCDD/F emissions, by up to 60%. In contrast, increasing the CO levels (due to transient combustion conditions), raising the Cl level (from 0.7% to 1.7%) and reducing the freeboard temperature (from 800°C to 660°C) all substantially increased the emission levels (more than 3-fold). Changes in PCDD/F profiles associated with increases in Cl, SO2 or CO levels and increasing the freeboard temperature (from 800°C to 950°C) indicate that the PCDFs were mainly formed by chlorination. In addition, increasing the Cl level increased the chlorination activity in the formation of PCDDs. Increasing the SO2 level appeared to be less effective in reducing the amount of PCDDs formed via the precursor pathway. While increased CO levels induced PCDD formation via the precursor pathway, although this was found to depend on the O2 level in the flue gas.